Because of the enduring winter that turned into summer am far behind in in outside work. Trying to catch up. Working every day. Too tired at night to write.

Lack of rain making the whole effort feel useless.

Anah has to have surgery, but can't get into to see the surgeon till May 21 and is in constant pain. Feel so bad for her.

Lainey won the award for best in woodwind. Proud of her.

Still picking spinach and asparagus.

Planted eggplants, jalapenos, and parsley yesterday.

Did battle with the antique roses yesterday too. Bear the scars of that. Really whacked back the white one, hope not too much. There were enough dead canes to fill the trailer, maybe she will be happier now.

Thinking all this work is too much for two old farts, all we do is work and it isn't fun like it used to be.

Prayers for Anah.Perhaps you could just downsize your garden a bit to where it can be fun again and not a chore. I tried a container garden when I could no longer do a big garden in our back yard. It was fun! I especially liked the lettuce I grew in one of those plastic little kiddy pools!

Ty on the garden. Good to have the raised beds. Glad you got some planting done. I have only approached the herb garden to save the creeping thyme from certain extinction. I appreciate plants that can survive under adverse conditions.

Looks like she may go next Monday, so could be sooner. I sure hate seeing her in pain and sitting at school has been hard.

Aww, so very sorry to hear about Anah. And that's an eternity to have to wait when you're in pain.

Much better news on Lainey, truly amazing! Congratulations!

Wonder if there's any way you could sort of scale things back and still maintain your place? I know from the little work I did outside the other day that the only way I'd be able to do much is if everything was in raised planting beds.

Hope you're able to take a break, here and there. I know it's tough playing catch-up after the erratic weather this spring.

The whole concept of my baby girl having surgery is playing havoc with my mind or whats left of it. So I work till I can't stand the pain. Rest. Work some more. Seeking distraction.

Somehow I cannot cope with the thought of running a tiller through say the herb garden, or the wildflower perennial bed. The best solution is for me to stop being so picky about everything being just so, and go for a natural look.

Today i enjoyed the work, but every day is different. Lately I've been wanting to run away.

Leave lj for a while and get out there and do your spring stuff. Just fall into bed at night. You will become much healthier in the process. And we will still be here when you come back.

I know what you mean about the sore muscles, too. If I do the slightest little thing mine protest. I recommend epsom salts baths. If you are like me, the exercise will scramble your brain for a little while, too.

Like you, I do not want to move into town. And yet, this place is too much for me. I hate close neighbours. What to do?

I'm sorry about Anah. My granddaughter has old fashioned 'growing pains' ie her bones are growing faster than her tendons. Unfortunately doing her favourite thing, horse riding, is the least favourite thing her knee likes. She has to do physio for it. Funnily enough, mum suffered from this, too.

Love your garden. I have downsized mine...a LOT! Just garden in big pots,. now. Old flame puts the potting mix in and I plant the seedlings. A little watering and fertilising, and voila! Plus, it's nice going outside and picking fresh things.